The Labour boss did not deny suggestions he wants capitalism to be overthrown completely

By Hugo Gye

28th January 2018, 10:57 am

Updated: 29th January 2018, 1:48 pm

JEREMY CORBYN today refused to admit that there is anything good about capitalism - but praised China's communist economy.

Asked to name any good points of the free market, the Labour boss wouldn't come up with any answers.

BBC

Jeremy Corbyn appearing on the Andrew Marr Show

He suggested the only benefit of capitalism is that it can be challenged by left-wing activists and refused to deny that he wants to see capitalism overthrown completely.

Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Corbyn was challenged on figures which show free markets have lifted 1.2billion people out of poverty.

He replied: "1.2billion have been taken to a slightly higher level than before, 'taken out of poverty' is perhaps slightly generous."

When Mr Marr suggested that China's population had been helped by the country's turn towards capitalism, Mr Corbyn said: "I'm not sure what you define the Chinese economy is - it is very state driven, it is very state organised.

BBC

The Labour boss told Andrew Marr he couldn't think of anything good about capitalism

"China has grown massively, its economic growth since 1949 and then after the death of Mao and the Great Leap Forward and so on."

He also criticised the country's human rights record and environmental damage.

Asked point blank if there is anything he likes about capitalism, the Labour boss responded: "Capitalism is a system that has evolved, it's a system that is there.

"Has it got anything right? Well, it does invest - mainly for its own benefit - but it does get challenged."

AP:Associated Press

Mr Corbyn suggested the Chinese communists led by Chairman Mao had helped the country's economy

And when Mr Marr suggested that Mr Corbyn was hoping to end capitalism in Britain, he did not reject the claim, saying only: "What we want to do with a Labour government is deal with the issues as of now."